Vortex eliminator in air handling apparatus



THU/VIAS f4. WAL TR,

n 7- y l March 4, 1941. T. A. wALTERs VORTEX ELIMINATOR IN AIR HANDLING APPARATUS Filed may 27, 1957 Patented Mar. 4, 1941 v UNITED STATES PATENT ori-*ICE VORTEX ELMNATOB 1N AIB HANDLING Blower Corporation, Detroit, Mich.,

a corporation of Delaware Application May 27, 1937, Serial No. 145,105

. 5 Claims.

My invention relates to fans and in particular to the elimination of the'vortex-whirl at the fan inlet.

It has been a problem in connection with the 5 inlet ducts and passageways to fans to prevent the revolution of air in the inlet passageways or chambers so that rotating air does not enter into the eye of the fan. The problem has been to prevent whirl in theair entering the eye of the fan i without causing undue air resistance in doing so, and at the same time to not only maintain but increase the emciency of the fan. It will be understood that the air, if not so controlled, has a tendency to continue whirling in the inlet pas- 15 sageway or duct and without proper entrance into the eye of the fan, which reduces'the eiiiciency of the fan. As the emciency of the fan is increased, there is a marked saving in power in the operation ot the fan.' 20 It is the object of my present invention to provide eliminator means or plates known as vortex eliminator plates. 'l'hese plates are located in inlet chambers and ducts which convey air to the fan. They prevent the continued revolution of 25 the air in these entering passageways, causing the air to enter the fan properly andresulting in a very marked increase in emciency of the fan and in savings in power necessary -to operate it.

Referring to the drawing: i0 Figure 1 is a side elevation of a fan, the vortex eliminator plates, and the inlet duct to the fan chamber with one side wall removed to disclose the arrangement ,of the plates with respect to the fanr Figure 2 is a section on the line 2--2 of Figure 1.

Figure 3 is a section on the line 3-4 of Figure 1.

Figure 4 is a view similar to Figure 1 showing the modified form of inlet box.

Figure 5 is a section on the line S--I of Figure 4.

Figure 6 is a vertical section through a modiiied form of fan and inlet box construction. 5 Figure 7 is a plan view thereof.

Figure 8 is a front elevation thereof. Referring to the drawing in detail. I is an inlet duct which conveys air into a chamber 2 known as the inlet chamber. This chamber has located 0 within itthe volute fan casing 3 which has side entry openings l in alignment with which is the rotor 5. On either side of the. casing 3 there is located within the chamber one or more plates known as vortex eliminator plates l which extend 5 between the fan casing and the side wall of the (Cl. 23u-114) inlet chamber. 'I'hese plates may -be located as indicated in full or dotted lines. vOrdinarily it would be assumed that such' plates would markedly decrease the eiliciency of the fan, would obstruct the passage of air into the fan, and would 5 set up back pressure and turbulence within the v inlet chamber. which would be disastrous to eiliciency.

I have found that none of these exuectedxe suits occurs, but toV the contrary the vortex with- 10 in-the inlet chamber is eliminated and the tendency of the air to continue whirling when entering the eye of the fan at I is substantially eliminated. This has resulted in such an increase in emciency that Ihave found there isa saving of l5 from three to ten per cent horsepower for centrifugal fans and as much as eighty-two per cent for propeller type fans, in the driving of the fan for an equivalent amount of air handled. After the air enters the eye vof the fan without this excessive vortex whirling, it is discharged-by the rotor of the fan in the usual manner through the discharge passageway 1.

In Figures 1 to 3. the plates are arranged on either side of thefan. preferably in a vertical position. v

In Figures 4 and 5 these plates are'arranged either in the full line position or dotted line positionas indicated..

In Figures to 8, inclusive. a vertical transverse plate is mounted across the back of the fan within the air inlet chamber ot the-fan so that. the air is guided in its right angle ilow through the fan without turbulence and without'excessive vortex whirling. 85

It will be understood that I desire to comprehend within my invention such modiilcations as may be clearly embraced within the claims and scope of my invention.

Having thus fully described my invention, what 40 I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is:

,1. In combination. a box having` inlet and outlet passageways. a fan casing having a rotor l therein, said inlet passageway communicating with the interior of the rotor and said outlet passageway communicating with the periphery of the rotor, and a vortex eliminator plate extending entirely across the inlet passagewaybetween the walls of said box and the walls of said fan 60 casing and in the plane of the axis of the rotor.

2. In combination, e. 4box having an inlet opening, a fan andcasing contained within the box having inlet and outlet openings said outlet opening extending so as tia-discharge air outside of ma bor.' and adapted to draw air through the box inlet-opening 'into the tan easing opening and expel air through the fan casing outlet opening and the box outlet opening, and a transverse partition substantially in the plane of the rotor axis extending entirely across the passage be- 1 tween the walls of the box and the fan casing to block this portion of the passage to turbulent uuid but permitting the entry of aum into Vthe inlet opening of vlthe casing, .the particles of which move in sirbstantially parallel paths.

3. In combination, a box having an inlet opening, a fan casing associated therewith with an `inlet opening therein communicating with the interior of the box and an outlet opening"y through which air is discharged from the box, a partition inside the box in the plane of the .axis of the `rotor and extending up to the inletV opening of the fan casing whereby `air is prevented fromrotative movement in the box, the said casing being at leastv partially within said box.

4. In combination; a box having an inlet openaesasai ing, a fan casing therein `an inlet @emile V5. Ineombination in a fan casing, having a rotor therein," an opening into the casing communicating with the interior of the rotor, an open inletbox having a transverse partition extending from one wall 'inthe "plane oi' the axis of thel rotor and entirely across the passage between the walls of the inlet box andthe walls of the fan casing to block this portlonvof the passage. the

`remainder oi' the inlet box being otherwise unobstructed, the casing being at least partially Within l58.1421 box. A

' -l THOMAS A. 

